skip to main content

Way cool..Pileated Woodpeckers!/off topic

15 years ago

Hey..I'm so jealous..hubby called to me just as I was napping this afternoon. He didn't know what they were..but was yelling about a pair of birds. I got up and later we looked it up..he saw a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers..I have never seen one..I am jealous!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

hosenemesis
15 years ago
Me too!
0
hartwood
15 years ago
They're really cool birds ... they're huge and totally prehistoric looking. We have a pair of them that set up shop here for the past few years. I don't know where their actual nest has been, but the birds themselves make a fairly regular route going from tree to tree in the front and back yards. They're really noisy ... chirping and calling. It's easy to know when they're around.

You should watch one reduce a rotten stump to a pile of sawdust. Man, those things can peck.

Connie
0
Related Discussions
Off Topic, Greenhouse Surprise
Q
Comments (22)
Randy, It sounds like you get to enjoy a lot of birds too. I've been meaning to make up a list of the ones I get here, but I still haven't done it. I know there are pretty many. We live next to a woods and are not far from the mountain, and I guess that's what the hawks and owls like. I always hear screech owls and GHO's in the woods, but I've never gone looking for any of the nests. That's really neat that you know where the owls nest at your place. There aren't any cottonwoods here but thousands (more like millions) of others. I've never gotten any pictures of the owls. One evening one flew by not too many feet above my head (like maybe 20 at the most) and I didn't even hear it. I guess it was on its way to get its next meal. Maryann, You seem to me to know pretty much, so if you say you know little, then I guess that gives you a clue how much I know! lol I can identify pretty many birds, but I just haven't gotten a handle on hawks yet. One bird I would love to see is a red-headed woodpecker (never saw one in my life). We have other types here, one of which is the Pileated. It likes to go to the white pine tree in our yard that is slowly dying. I don't have it cut because of that. We also have a bird tree that's seen its better days, but birds nest and roost in the holes in it, so I don't have that one cut either. That would be nice for you to join a local bird club if you have the time. I'm not a member of any local bird club but go on songbirdsfamily.com It's one of those My Family sites where you email them your name and email and they give you a password to get on the site. You can post pictures right on the site and don't have to use photbbucket or anything like that. That's why I didn't know how to post pictures on this butterfly site at first because I never had to do that before, but now I learned that in addition to learn so many things about butterflies. I hope those hawks at your place get the house sparrows and starlings and leave the native birds alone. There are so many starlings around here and only a couple hawks once in awhile that I count on my traps and air rifle to get rid of them here. At first when I heard of other people doing that, I thought it was mean until I heard stories and saw pictures of what they do to our native birds. A lot of birding groups are encouraging people to destroy the house sparrows are starlings. Like you, I'm not fond of the grackles either for the reason you mentioned, but being that they're a native species, I just have to let them alone and grumble as I have to go out yet again to fill the feeders. Yes, I think you're right about that and it could have been either a hawk or a cat that got your cardinal. I've learned a lot about birds on other forums and enjoy them a lot, and one of my friends on there would talk about butterflies sometimes and I thought to myself, "Now that's something else that sounds interesting and I ought to look into it!" That's why I came here. Now I have more nice people to "talk" to. :) I'm sure I couldn't have learned so much about butterflies anywhere else either.
...See More
Please Add MORE 'My Favorite Gardening Tips'
Q
Comments (91)
Outsmarting the tree rats (squirrels) around my house is a full time job. This past spring I hit on a new idea. When I plant a container I invert an empty wire hanging basket over the container and the plant gets sun and can be watered but the squirrels can't dig in it. Another idea: I bring in a lot of plants to "over winter" under lights in my garage. I have so many that it is hard to reach my hand under the lights (4 shop lights) to the middle for watering. So I bought a pump sprayer with a long wand and it works great! In late winter I add a little liquid Dawn detergent, few drops, to each gallon of water and not only does the soil get wet easier but the worms that are waiting to hatch into distructive pets just don't hatch. Don't know what it costs me to run those four shop lights all winter but I don't care. It is a small price to pay to be able to "garden" every weekend in the garage. Many people have mentioned that they mark their outdoor plants with a "permanent Sharpie". In my experience there isn't a "permanent Sharpie", they all fade and quickly too. A grease pencil/china marker or expensive "no fade" garden center marker are the only markers I have found that won't disappoint you by fading. Eight years ago I decided to learn about gardening so I tapped into my local library. I checked out nearly every book they had on gardening and learned so much. The Gardenweb forums are also a wealth of information and entertainment. There is always something new to learn and I appreciate all of you who take the time to write in your ideas. One last idea from me...I keep a small notebook on my computer table and jot down any idea I find that's new and I will want to try. Little pieces of paper get lost but I always know where my notebook is and also use it when I order "on line" so I will remember the name of the company and the order date. Tina or Trowelgal
...See More
Birds and other mobile features in the garden 2010
Q
Comments (56)
Very funny turkey photos...lol. I think my DH might have a heart attack if a turkey started walking around on the top of the car. He's already wondering why it is that the birds choose the branches right above the car to sit and make their deposits. [g] I've had my hummingbird feeder out for a couple of weeks with no visitors. I saw the Oriole in the yard a couple of times, so I decided to add a half an orange to the top of it. That's not working either. Yesterday I saw an Oriole fly right over the orange without so much as a glance. [g] Not that we don't have a pile of birds out there. Grackles and Starlings seem to have made us home base. I've seen a couple of them being followed by adolescents squawking for some food. All the usual cast of characters and a few pigeons have decided to drop in since last year. We're not putting out any cracked corn, just safflower and black sunflower. I was wondering the other day if you can have too many birds. They're fighting over the two birdbaths, so I added a third and still the robins and the starlings are competing for top bird position. Somedays I need to clean and refill the birdbaths twice a day. I've been seeing lots of bird droppings on the fences and along the rock edging of the perennial beds. Lately, DH fills the feeders and in a few hours, they empty one and are halfway through another. Anyone else think they might have too many birdy visitors? [g]
...See More
December 2018, Week 3
Q
Comments (21)
I really really need to figure out what's going to be happening with winter sowing, because I plan to have some of the stuff ready to go by the 1st. George, I am so thrilled for Jereth. I wish it were me. Oh well. Lifelong learning is a wondrous thing, degree or not, right? I am a huge enormous fan of lifelong learning. It will be interesting to see where this new chapter takes her--and both of you. Good luck, Jennifer, I do hope everything goes smoothly for you with such a busy schedule and your company. I'm sure it will be lovely, but don't be so hard on yourself needing everything to be just right! Some of you saw my FB post about GDW and me seeing the dead feral hog about 2 1/2 miles from our place. That's plenty close. I frankly have believed they're here now for the past month or so. I saw some scat out back--not in the immediate yard, but at the end of the driveway near the back 40 (that seems to be the major highway branch all the lost critters come down on this street/road) that sent shivers up my spine. We raised pigs for 4-H when my boys were young. . .the stuff I spotted, I was SURE either had to be black bear or pig, and I was definitely learning toward pig (since I've never seen black bear scat, partly. Also because I figured it was more likely to be feral pigs than black bears. . .) I am so not happy about this. They could create hell here, with all these loose dogs, chickens, cats, flower beds, yards. . . .and all the foresty areas interspersed throughout this sort of "neighborhood suburban lake area. I'm so glad, however, that we saw it today. In fact, we were coming back from town, I was driving my car. . . and GDW spotted it. He mentioned he saw a dead critter; couldn't tell if it was a calf or large dead dog. I said, "Well. Let's go back and see." (That's my new interest--the area's lost and found pets. A lady lost a black lab last week in our area; GDW and I saw it--a black lab with red collar; and another guy saw it, too. We chimed in and reported where we saw it. . . but before she got back out there, someone had hit and killed the dog on the road. We saw its body, and someone else reported it, too. Sad. Since, as you know, we've had our share of "found" pets in the past year (thankfully no lost ones), I am very good friends of those lost and found sites now.) I wanted to see what it was so I could report it on lost and found. So I turned around and we went back. Pulled over and got out to look after GDW saw that it was a pig. Yep. Knda longish dark brown/black coarse hair. Certainly matched up with the images on Google. Sound right to those of you who know? More animal stuff. People across the street with the undisciplined chocolate lab who raises holy hell chasing cars, and barking at everything; chasing MY cats. I am not happy with this dog. For God knows what reason this dog has been turned outside for parts of the wee hrs of the morning. This morning it was 3:30-5:30. And non-stop barking. It did stop about 5:30 and we were able to go back to sleep. But the dog has gotten me up, this is the 4th time in a month, by 5 am. I'm not a 5 a.m. person, and definitely not a 3:30 a.m. person. So hard to figure out, you know? Like, they don't hear the dog barking? Of course, I'm going to have to say something if it happens again. I'll approach it good-naturedly but firmly. PEOPLE!! So glad those sorts aren't as large in number around us as those who aren't that sort. So, Dawn, you are acquainted with the horrors of feral hogs. . . what's the situation with the rest of you and them? I'm somewhat nervous, not having been exposed to them before. And am glad we've got a shooter here who knows how to shoot. You know, I ended up having so much fun frosting the little sugar cookie figures that I decided I want to get really good at it! Remember I said I either had to get good at it or never do them again? So I made a second batch, but this time, had researched so ordered little squeeze bottles. It was still a pain filling the squeeze bottles with frosting (used funnels, which made it a bit easier), but definitely pretty easy to direct the frosting. SO. I do believe I'm gonna add THAT little thing to my fun stuff. I can't believe I just said that. I HATE baking. And yet the fruitcakes and the sugar cookies and gingerbread men were a blast. Kinda love/hate. I hope you all have a most blessed Christmas, whether it's cozy and tiny or whether it's glitzy and large. May you all be filled with love. And joy. And comfort. And renewed hope for LOVE and PEACE. And God bless all the Tiny's we all have. My Tiny cat is precious. I'm sure you all know how very special I think he is. And he is. BUT. Not more precious than our two gray tabbies or Titan, our flawed but great protector. Not more precious than my wonderful friends. My Wyoming friends, my MN friends, my gardening friends, my Oklahoma friends.My atheist friends, my agnostic friends, my relatives---it's all about LOVE. . LOVE GOD. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR. That's it. Love to you all and Christmas blessings.
...See More
Related Professionals
Ashburn Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Folsom Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Ilchester Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Severn Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Addison Landscape Contractors · Chattanooga Landscape Contractors · Cupertino Landscape Contractors · Ellensburg Landscape Contractors · Fair Lawn Landscape Contractors · Lancaster Landscape Contractors · Norristown Landscape Contractors · North Haven Landscape Contractors · Oxnard Landscape Contractors · San Rafael Landscape Contractors · Winter Gardens Landscape Contractors
greenhaven
15 years ago
I would be jealous, too! But if he has seen them once he will see them again, and maybe you will be there!
0
holleygarden Zone 8, East Texas
15 years ago
I saw my first one this year, too! I was fascinated - it looked just like Woody Woodpecker! :)
0
serenasyh
15 years ago
My Dad has those! but sadly I just visit my folks in the evening every Friday night, so I miss out on all the beautiful birds he gets. My neighborhood gets no beautiful variety of birds that he gets, except for the occasional red-tailed hawk, but haven't seen even that since they tore up all the highways and open fielded areas to make room for the ugly surburban sprawl.
0
phil_schorr
15 years ago
We see one of them from time to time. "Prehistoric" is a good way to describe their looks. They have a body about the size of a Canada goose, but they look all wild and rough. One lit on our back deck recently and chipped three pieces out of the railing with just a couple of whacks. They are really something to see.
0
nickelsmumz8
15 years ago
Neato keen! I'm pretty sure I saw one when I was a kid, somewhere in an East Coast hardwood forest. I assumed it was a duck, but there was this red around the head. I was very excited.

I didn't realize their range went so far west, but sure enough, it includes the forested areas of Washington and Oregon. Maybe I'll get lucky someday too.
0
serenasyh
15 years ago
This is so embarrassing,ugh; as soon as I read big as a goose, I thought uh-oh, Serena, you've got the wrong! woodpecker in mind. what a dozo! I was thinking of the brilliant red-headed woodpecker with the black and white dappled feathers (the downy woodpecker). It is way smaller than the pileated woodpecker. Sheesh, sorry for the mixup...
0
Zyperiris
Original Author
15 years ago
It's okay Serena. HAH. Brian didn't know what they were..he said they looked like weird chickens, or something. He spent some time looking them up and then came up with the name. A quick call to the owner of the Wild Bird supply store..he told us they were quite common around here! I have never seen one. We sure are enjoying the wildlife in our backyard this year. Even Brian has given up chasing the Harbor Pidgeons off the feeders. He said someone has to love them!
0
michaelg
15 years ago
Apparently this species has rebounded strongly from what were at one time fairly low levels. I came here 40 years ago, didn't see one until maybe 12 years later, now I see them every year. The sound of their chipping is distinctive, very loud and slower than other WPs. They sling that big head on a fairly long neck with great power.
0
serenasyh
15 years ago
well, Zyperiris, heheh I think I was definitely "wearing my brains" on backwards; I can't believe I missed out on that important descriptor-- prehistoric and wild and rough! I never thought of a bird being wild and rough except for a parrot that doesn't get enough attention from its owner, lol! So that descriptor should have caught my eye. I think I just saw the first 2 responses and jumped to the gun with mine, ridiculous me! Anyway, I am hoping one of these days we'll be able to enjoy a photo of your Pileated woodpeckers and your wood beaver! But again, it's so difficult to catch a real-live photo of wildlife and who cares about the photo compared to just the joy of seeing the real thing in person!

You must have some really tall massive trees on your property. I would imagine one would need those kinds of trees to attract those woodpeckers. Keep us updated when you! get the chance to see these amazing birds! am crossing my fingers you'll get to see one soon, soon, soon!
0
Zyperiris
Original Author
15 years ago
Serena we do have large trees. Pine trees 100 ft tall. We live by a greenbelt..there is most likely a water source back there. The neighbors said that kids used to play back there..but it is way overgrown back there. Hubby said if we walked it down to the trail way down there it would be about 1/4 mile. The trail borders the freeway. We get a little noise from the freeway but not much. We have wild Salmon runs and it is illegal to build on them. Our understanding is that this land is a permanent greenbelt. When we went looking for houses living on a green belt was a big plus. When we found this house we were so excited. When I say greenbelt..it is a thick looking forest. The lot is the sunniest one on the block. It's awesome
0
orink3
15 years ago
I have enjoyed these Pileated Woodpeckers for years. I was lucky to find a male just starting to hollow out a nest. I observed the site for 6 months and was lucky to get the following 7 minute video which I have posted on YouTube.

As Ever,
Orin Keplinger
near Chicago

Here is a link that might be useful: 2009 Pileated Woodpecker Nest
0
serenasyh
15 years ago
I am totally digging this viddy! Those woodpeckers are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful footage Orin. What brilliant colors they are! The cutest baby chicks! I loved watching them...

Zyperiris, how wonderful that the greenbelt is being conserved and protected. How I wish Kansas would do the same for its wildlife near the city. Instead they just keep tearing up the land indiscriminately to accomodate their surburban sprawl. It's hideous! Every day, more land is being bull-dozed and torn up and replaced by cookie cutter architecture that wastes space and land. There's no character in the architecture either just nasty suburban sprawwwl. Ugh!
0
Zyperiris
Original Author
15 years ago
Orink..thanks so much. Great video
0
holleygarden Zone 8, East Texas
15 years ago
Great video! Thanks for sharing it.
0

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Healthy Home Habitats for Northern Flickers

By Habitat Network

These colorful woodpeckers found across the U.S. and Canada love berries, seeds and ants and often nest in deep burrows in trees

MOST POPULAR 8 Budget-Friendly Ways to Fun Up Your Patio

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Amp up the charm, comfort and personality of your outdoor space with drapery, lighting and more

MODERN HOMES Houzz Tour: A Modern Take on a Montana Log House

By Mitchell Parker

Multiple buildings form a vacation compound that's more like environmental art than architecture

MATERIALS An Architect Shares His Go-To Materials

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Aluminum doors, porcelain tiles, polished concrete. Here are the features and finishes this professional returns to time and again

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Wild Birds Transform a Woman’s Garden and Life

By Mary Jo Bowling

How Sharon Sorenson created a wildlife haven and became the Bird Lady of Southern Indiana

CONTRACTOR TIPS Your Complete Guide to Building Permits

By Matt Clawson

Learn about permit requirements, the submittal process, final inspection and more

LIFE Is Cabin Fever Real? Share Your Story

By Mary Jo Bowling

Are snow piles across the U.S. leading to masses of irritability and boredom? We want to hear your experience

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Be a Citizen Scientist to Help Wildlife, Learn and Have Fun Too

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Track butterflies, study birds, capture stars ... when you aid monitoring efforts, you’re lending Mother Nature a hand

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: A Surprisingly Light Lakeside Log Cabin

By Jeff Jones Snap It Photography

Light gray paint and lots of natural light take this cabin on a Michigan lake out of moody country

GARDENING GUIDES Garden-Friendly Native Alternatives to Overplanted Exotics

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

There are lots of gorgeous, wildlife-friendly native plants ready to make an appearance in your garden

Sponsored

More Discussions

David Austin Bareroot Pre-ordering is Open

207

Dying, declining....what's up?

32

Romantic white climbing rose

7

Bathsheba or Crown Princess Margareta?

3

Northland Rosarium

6